Accessibility

We want to provide as an inclusive learning experience as possible. We recognise that not only does providing accessible content and services directly help those who have particular needs but it can be of benefit to everyone.

That’s why we’re working hard continually improve the digitally accessible experience for all students.

Within Blackboard, our Virtual Learning Environment, you can download content in a range of alternative formats. This is available for all students regardless of whether you have a specific learning difficulty – just select a format that works for you at the time you need it.

The Disability and Dyslexia Service have guidance on a range of tools and services that can support your studies if you have a specific learning difficulty.

This webpage also contains some recommendations that support digital accessibility such as using the Immersive Reader in Office 365.

As much as possible you will need to ensure that any documents or learning content you create are accessible as possible. This includes Office 365 files, PDFs and multimedia content. Where it’s not feasible to make files accessible, an accessible alternative format needs to be available.

However, it’s worth noting that the accessibility regulations don’t require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential for active administrative processes or learning.

As well as the guidance provided on this webpage the following are additional resources or areas that can provide support with accessible content.

The Realising Teaching Excellence blog link to the Busy Lecturers Guide to Accessibility

The TEL team have support and training on how to create accessible Blackboard courses. If you’re interested in writing web content or writing for the web you can get details on training courses and information by emailing web@worc.ac.uk